CHAPTERII
HehadnotgoneagreatdistancefromBenEdairwhenhecametoanintricate,gloomywood,wherethetreesgrewsothicklyandtheundergrowthwassuchasproutandtanglethatonecouldscarcelypassthroughit。Herememberedthatapathhadoncebeenhackedthroughthewood,andhesoughtforthis。Itwasadeeplyscooped,hollowway,anditranorwriggledthroughtheentirelengthofthewood。
IntothisgloomydrainFionndescendedandmadeprogress,butwhenhehadpenetrateddeeplyinthedankforestheheardasoundofthumpingandsquelchingfootsteps,andhesawcomingtowardshimahorrible,evil-visagedbeing;awild,monstrous,yellow-skinned,big-bonedgiant,dressedinnothingbutanill-made,mud-plastered,drab-colouredcoat,whichswaggledandclappedagainstthecalvesofhisbigbarelegs。Onhisstampingfeetthereweregreatbroguesofbootsthatwereshapedlike,butwerebiggerthan,aboat,andeachtimeheputafootdownitsquashedandsquirtedabarrelfulofmudfromthesunkroad。
Fionnhadneverseenthelikeofthisvastperson,andhestoodgazingonhim,lostinastareofastonishment。
Thegreatmansalutedhim。
\"Allalone,Fionn?’hecried。\"HowdoesithappenthatnotoneFenianoftheFiannaisatthesideofhiscaptain?\"AtthisinquiryFionngotbackhiswits。
\"Thatistoolongastoryanditistoointricateandpressingtobetold,alsoIhavenotimetosparenow。\"
\"Yettellitnow,\"themonstrousmaninsisted。
Fionn,thuspressed,toldofthecomingofCaeloftheIron,ofthechallengethelatterhadissued,andthathe,Fionn,wasofftoTaraoftheKingstofindCaeltemacRona’n。
\"Iknowthatforeignerwell,\"thebigmancommented。
\"Ishethechampionhemakeshimselfouttobe?\"Fionninquired。
\"Hecandotwiceasmuchashesaidhewoulddo,\"themonsterreplied。
\"Hewon’toutrunCaeltemacRona’n,\"Fionnasserted。Thebigmanjeered。
\"Saythathewon’toutrunahedgehog,dearheart。ThisCaelwillendthecoursebythetimeyourCaeltebeginstothinkofstarting。\"
\"Then,\"saidFionn,\"Inolongerknowwheretoturn,orhowtoprotectthehonourofIreland。\"
\"Iknowhowtodothesethings,\"theothermancommentedwithaslownodofthehead。
\"Ifyoudo,\"Fionnpleaded,\"tellittomeuponyourhonour。\"
\"Iwilldothat,\"themanreplied。
\"Donotlookanyfurtherfortherusty-kneed,slow-trottingsonofRona’n,\"hecontinued,\"butaskmetorunyourrace,and,bythishand,Iwillbefirstatthepost。\"
AtthistheChiefbegantolaugh。
\"Mygoodfriend,youhaveworkenoughtocarrythetwotonsofmudthatareplasteredoneachofyourcoat-tails,tosaynothingofyourweightyboots。\"
\"Bymyhand,\"themancried,\"thereisnopersoninIrelandbutmyselfcanwinthatrace。Iclaimachance。\"
Fionnagreedthen。\"Beitso,\"saidhe。\"Andnow,tellmeyourname?\"
\"IamknownastheCarloftheDrabCoat。\"
\"Allnamesarenames,\"Fionnresponded,\"andthatalsoisaname。\"
TheyreturnedthentoBenEdair。
CHAPTERIII
WhentheycameamongthehostthemenofIrelandgatheredaboutthevaststranger;andthereweresomewhohidtheirfacesintheirmantlessothattheyshouldnotbeseentolaugh,andthereweresomewhorolledalongthegroundinmerriment,andtherewereotherswhocouldonlyholdtheirmouthsopenandcrooktheirkneesandhangtheirarmsandstaredumbfoundedlyuponthestranger,asthoughtheywereutterlydazed。
CaeloftheIroncamealsoonthescene,andheexaminedthestrangerwithcloseandparticularattention。
\"Whatinthenameofthedevilisthisthing?\"heaskedofFionn。
\"Dearheart,\"saidFionn,\"thisisthechampionIamputtingagainstyouintherace。\"
CaeloftheIrongrewpurpleintheface,andhealmostswallowedhistonguethroughwrath。
\"Untiltheendofeternity,\"heroared,\"anduntiltheverylastmomentofdoomIwillnotmoveonefootinaracewiththisgreasy,big-hoofed,ill-assembledresemblanceofabeggarman。\"
ButatthistheCarlburstintoaroaroflaughter,sothattheeardrumsofthewarriorspresentalmostburstinsideoftheirheads。
\"Bereassured,mydarling,Iamnobeggarman,andmyqualityisnotmoregrossthanisthebloodofthemostdelicateprinceinthisassembly。Youwillnotevadeyourchallengeinthatway,mylove,andyoushallrunwithmeoryoushallruntoyourshipwithmebehindyou。Whatlengthofcoursedoyoupropose,dearheart?\"
\"Ineverrunlessthansixtymiles,\"Caelrepliedsullenly。
\"Itisasmallrun,\"saidtheCarl,\"butitwilldo。FromthisplacetotheHilloftheRushes,SlieveLuachraofMunster,isexactlysixtymiles。Willthatsuityou?\"
\"Idon’tcarehowitisdone,\"Caelanswered。
\"Then,\"saidtheCarl,\"wemaygoofftoSlieveLuachranow,andinthemorningwecanstartourracetheretohere。\"
\"Letitbedonethatway,\"saidCael。
ThesetwosetoutthenforMunster,andasthesunwassettingtheyreachedSlieveLuachraandpreparedtospendthenightthere。
CHAPTERIV
\"Cael,mypulse,\"saidtheCarl,\"wehadbetterbuildahouseorahuttopassthenightin。\"
\"I’Ilbuildnothing,\"Caelreplied,lookingontheCarlwithgreatdisfavour。
\"No!\"
\"Iwon’tbuildhouseorhutforthesakeofpassingonenighthere,forIhopenevertoseethisplaceagain。\"
\"I’Ilbuildahousemyself,\"saidtheCarl,\"andthemanwhodoesnothelpinthebuildingcanstayoutsideofthehouse。\"
TheCarlstumpedtoanear-bywood,andheneverresteduntilhehadfelledandtiedtogethertwenty-fourcouplesofbigtimber。
Hethrusttheseunderonearmandundertheotherhetuckedabundleofrushesforhisbed,andwiththatoneloadherushedupahouse,wellthatchedandsnug,andwiththetimberthatremainedoverhemadeabonfireonthefloorofthehouse。
Hiscompanionsatatadistanceregardingtheworkwithrageandaversion。
\"NowCael,mydarling,\"saidtheCarl,\"ifyouareamanhelpmetolookforsomethingtoeat,forthereisgamehere。\"
\"Helpyourself,\"roaredCael,\"forallthatIwantisnottobenearyou。\"
\"Thetooththatdoesnothelpgetsnohelping,\"theotherreplied。
InashorttimetheCarlreturnedwithawildboarwhichhehadrundown。Hecookedthebeastoverhisbonfireandateonehalfofit,leavingtheotherhalfforhisbreakfast。Thenbelaydownontherushes,andintwoturnshefellasleep。
ButCaellayoutonthesideofthehill,andifhewenttosleepthatnighthesleptfasting。Itwashe,however,whoawakenedtheCarlinthemorning。
\"Getup,beggarman,ifyouaregoingtorunagainstme。\"
TheCarlrubbedhiseyes。
\"InevergetupuntilIhavehadmyfillofsleep,andthereisanotherhourofitduetome。Butifyouareinahurry,mydelight,youcanstartrunningnowwithablessing。IwilltrotonyourtrackwhenIwakenup。\"
Caelbegantoracethen,andhewasgladofthestart,forhisantagonistmadesolittleaccountofhimthathedidnotknowwhattoexpectwhentheCarlwouldbegintorun。
\"Yet,\"saidCaeltohimself,\"withanhour’sstartthebeggarmanwillhavetomovehisbonesifhewantstocatchonme,\"andhesettleddowntoagood,peltingrace。
CHAPTERV
AttheendofanhourtheCarlawoke。Heatethesecondhalfoftheboar,andhetiedtheunpickedbonesinthetailofhiscoat。
Thenwithagreatrattlingoftheboar’sboneshestarted。
Itishardtotellhowheranoratwhatspeedheran,buthewentforwardingreattwo-leggedjumps,andattimeshemovedinimmenseone-legged,mud-spatteringhops,andattimesagain,withwide-stretched,far-flung,terrible-tramping,space-destroyinglegsheran。
Helefttheswallowsbehindasiftheywereasleep。Hecaughtuponareddeer,jumpedoverit,andleftitstanding。Thewindwasalwaysbehindhim,forheoutraniteverytime;andhecaughtupinjumpsandbouncesonCaeloftheIron,althoughCaelwasrunningwell,withhisfistsupandhisheadbackandhistwolegsflyinginandoutsovigorouslythatyoucouldnotseethembecauseofthatspeedymovement。
TrottingbythesideofCael,theCarlthrustahandintothetailofhiscoatandpulledoutafistfullofredbones。
\"Here,myheart,isameatybone,\"saidhe,\"foryoufastedallnight,poorfriend,andifyoupickabitofftheboneyourstomachwillgetarest。\"
\"Keepyourfilth,beggarman,\"theotherreplied,\"forIwouldratherbehangedthangnawonabonethatyouhavebrowsed。\"
\"Whydon’tyourun,mypulse?\"saidtheCarlearnestly;\"whydon’tyoutrytowintherace?\"
Caelthenbegantomovehislimbsasiftheywerethewingsofafly,orthefinsofalittlefish,orasiftheywerethesixlegsofaterrifiedspider。
\"Iamrunning,\"hegasped。
\"Buttryandrunlikethis,\"theCarladmonished,andhegaveawrigglingboundandasuddenoutstretchingandscurryingofshanks,andhedisappearedfromCael’ssightinonewildspatterofbigboots。
DespairfellonCaeloftheIron,buthehadagreatheart。\"I
willrununtilIburst,\"heshrieked,\"andwhenIburst,mayI
bursttoagreatdistance,andmayItripthatbeggar-manupwithmyburstingsandmakehimbreakhisleg。\"
Hesettledthentoadetermined,savage,implacabletrot。HecaughtupontheCarlatlast,forthelatterhadstoppedtoeatblackberriesfromthebushesontheroad,andwhenhedrewnigh,CaelbegantojeerandsneerangrilyattheCarl。
\"Wholostthetailsofhiscoat?\"heroared。
\"Don’taskriddlesofamanthat’seatingblackberries,\"theCarlrebukedhim。
\"Thedogwithoutatallandthecoatwithoutatail,\"criedCael。
\"Igiveitup,\"theCarlmumbled。
\"It’syourself,beggarman,\"jeeredCael。
\"Iammyself,\"theCarlgurgledthroughamouthfulofblackberries,\"andasIammyself,howcanitbemyself?Thatisasillyriddle,\"heburbled。
\"Lookatyourcoat,tubofgrease?’
TheCarldidso。
\"Myfaith,\"saidhe,\"wherearethetwotailsofmycoat?\"\"I
couldsmelloneofthemanditwrappedaroundalittletreethirtymilesback,\"saidCael,\"andtheotheronewasdishonouringabushtenmilesbehindthat。\"
\"Itisbadlucktobeseparatedfromthetailsofyourowncoat,\"
theCarlgrumbled。\"I’llhavetogobackforthem。Waithere,beloved,andeatblackberriesuntilIcomeback,andwe’llbothstartfair。\"
\"NothalfasecondwillIwait,\"Caelreplied,andhebegantoruntowardsBenEdairasaloverrunstohismaidenorasabeefliestohishive。
\"Ihaven’thadhalfmyshareofblackberrieseither,\"theCarllamentedashestartedtorunbackwardsforhiscoat-tails。
Herandeterminedlyonthatbackwardjourney,andasthepathhehadtravelledwasbeatenoutasifithadbeentrampledbyanhundredbullsyokednecktoneck,hewasabletofindthetwobushesandthetwocoat-tails。Hesewedthemonhiscoat。
Thenhesprangup,andhetooktoafitandavortexandanexasperationofrunningforwhichnodescriptionmaybefound。
Thethumpingofhisbigbootsgrewascon-tinuousasthepatteringofhailstonesonaroof,andthewindofhispassageblewtreesdown。Thebeaststhatwererangingbesidehispathdroppeddeadfromconcussion,andthesteamthatsnoredfromhisnoseblewbirdsintobitsandmadegreatlumpsofcloudfalloutofthesky。
HeagaincaughtuponCael,whowasrunningwithhisheaddownandhistoesup。
\"Ifyouwon’ttrytorun,mytreasure,\"saidtheCarl,\"youwillnevergetyourtribute。\"
Andwiththatheincensedandexplodedhimselfintoaneye-blinding,continuous,waggleandcomplexityofbootsthatleftCaelbehindhiminaflash。
\"IwillrununtilIburst,\"sobbedCael,andhescrewedagitationanddespairintohislegsuntilhehummedandbuzzedlikeablue-bottleonawindow。
FivemilesfromBenEdairtheCarlstopped,forhehadagaincomeamongblackberries。
Heateoftheseuntilhewasnomorethanasackofjuice,andwhenheheardthehummingandbuzzingofCaeloftheIronhemournedandlamentedthathecouldnotwaittoeathisfillHetookoffhiscoat,stuffeditfullofblackberries,swungitonhisshoulders,andwentboundingstoutlyandnimblyforBenEdair。
CHAPTERVI
ItwouldbehardtotelloftheterrorthatwasinFionn’sbreastandintheheartsoftheFiannawhiletheyattendedtheconclusionofthatrace。
Theydiscusseditunendingly,andatsomemomentofthedayamanupbraidedFionnbecausehehadnotfoundCaeltethesonofRona’nashadbeenagreedon。
\"ThereisnoonecanrunlikeCaelte,\"onemanaverred。
\"Hecoverstheground,\"saidanother。
\"Heislightasafeather。\"
\"Swiftasastag。\"\"Lungedlikeabull。\"
\"Leggedlikeawolf。\"
\"Heruns!\"
ThesethingsweresaidtoFionn,andFionnsaidthesethingstohimself。
Witheverypassingminuteadropofleadthumpeddownintoeveryheart,andapangofdespairstabbeduptoeverybrain。
\"Go,\"saidFionntoahawk-eyedman,\"gotothetopofthishillandwatchforthecomingoftheracers。\"
Andhesentlithemenwithhimsothattheymightrunbackinendlesssuccessionwiththenews。
Themessengersbegantorunthroughhistentatminuteintervalscalling\"nothing,\"\"nothing,\"\"nothing,\"astheypausedanddartedaway。
Andthewords,\"nothing,nothing,nothing,\"begantodrowseintothebrainsofeverypersonpresent。
\"WhatcanwehopefromthatCarl?\"achampiondemandedsavagely。
\"Nothing,\"criedamessengerwhostoodandsped。
\"Aclump!\"criedachampion。
\"Ahog!\"saidanother。
\"Aflat-footed,\"
\"Little-wlnded,\"
\"Big-bellied,\"
\"Lazy-boned,\"
\"Pork!\"
\"Didyouthink,Fionn,thatawhalecouldswimonland,orwhatdidyouimaginethatlumpcoulddo?\"
\"Nothing,\"criedamessenger,andwasspedashespoke。
RagebegantognawinFionn’ssoul,andaredhazedancedandflickeredbeforehiseyes。Hishandsbegantotwitchandadesirecreptoverhimtoseizeonchampionsbytheneck,andtoshakeandworryandrageamongthemlikeawilddogragingamongsheep。
Helookedonone,andyetheseemedtolookonallatonce。
\"Besilent,\"hegrowled。\"Leteachmanbesilentasadeadman。\"
Andhesatforward,seeingall,seeingnone,withhismouthdroopingopen,andsuchawildnessandbristleloweringfromthatgreatglumbrowthatthechampionsshiveredasthoughalreadyinthechillofdeath,andweresilent。
Heroseandstalkedtothetent-door。
\"Whereto,OFionn?\"saidachampionhumbly。
\"Tothehill-top,\"saidFionn,andhestalkedon。
Theyfollowedhim,whisperingamongthemselves,keepingtheireyesonthegroundastheyclimbed。
CHAPTERVII
\"Whatdoyousee?\"Fionndemandedofthewatcher。
\"Nothing,\"thatmanreplied。
\"Lookagain,\"saidFionn。
Theeagle-eyedmanliftedaface,thinandsharpasthoughithadbeencarvenonthewind,andhestaredforwardwithanimmobileintentness。
\"Whatdoyousee?\"saidFionn。
\"Nothing,\"themanreplied。
\"Iwilllookmyself,\"saidFionn,andhisgreatbrowbentforwardandgloomedafar。
Thewatcherstoodbeside,staringwithhistensefaceandunwinking,lidlesseye。
\"Whatcanyousee,OFionn?\"saidthewatcher。
\"Icanseenothing,\"saidFionn,andheprojectedagainhisgrim,gauntforehead。Foritseemedasifthewatcherstaredwithhiswholeface,aye,andwithhishands;butFionnbroodedweightedlyondistancewithhispuckeredandcranniedbrow。
Theylookedagain。
\"Whatcanyousee?\"saidFionn。
\"Iseenothing,\"saidthewatcher。
\"IdonotknowifIseeorifIsurmise,butsomethingmoves,\"
saidFionn。\"Thereisatrample,\"hesaid。
Thewatcherbecamethenaneye,arigidity,anintenseout-thrustingandransackingofthin-spundistance。Atlasthespoke。
\"Thereisadust,\"hesaid。
Andatthatthechampionsgazedalso,straininghungrilyafar,untiltheireyesbecamefilledwithabluedarknessandtheycouldnolongerseeeventhethingsthatwereclosetothem。
\"I,\"criedCona’ntriumphantly,\"Iseeadust。\"
\"AndI,\"criedanother。
\"AndI。\"
\"Iseeaman,\"saidtheeagle-eyedwatcher。
Andagaintheystared,untiltheirstrainingeyesgrewdimwithtearsandwinks,andtheysawtreesthatstoodupandsatdown,andfieldsthatwobbledandspunroundandroundinagiddilyswirlingworld。
\"Thereisaman,\"Cona’nroared。
\"Amanthereis,\"criedanother。
\"Andheiscarryingamanonhisback,\"saidthewatcher。
\"ItisCaeloftheIroncarryingtheCarlonhisback,\"hegroaned。
\"Thegreatpork!\"amangritted。
\"Theno-good!\"sobbedanother。
\"Thelean-hearted,\"
\"Thick-thighed,\"
\"Ramshackle,\"
\"Muddle-headed,\"
\"Hog!\"screamedachampion。
Andhebeathisfistsangrilyagainstatree。
Buttheeagle-eyedwatcherwatcheduntilhiseyesnarrowedandbecamepin-points,andheceasedtobeamanandbecameanoptic。
\"Wait,\"hebreathed,\"waituntilIscrewintooneotherinchofsight。\"
Andtheywaited,lookingnolongeronthatscarcelyperceptiblespeckinthedistance,butstrainingupontheeyeofthewatcherasthoughtheywouldpenetrateitandlookthroughit。
\"ItistheCarl,\"hesaid,\"carryingsomethingonhisback,andbehindhimagainthereisadust。\"
\"Areyousure?\"saidFionninavoicethatrumbledandvibratedlikethunder。
\"ItistheCarl,\"saidthewatcher,\"andthedustbehindhimisCaeloftheIrontryingtocatchhimup。\"
ThentheFiannagavearoarofexultation,andeachmanseizedhisneighbourandkissedhimonbothcheeks;andtheygrippedhandsaboutFionn,andtheydancedroundandroundinagreatcircle,roaringwithlaughterandrelief,intheecstasywhichonlycomeswheregrislyfearhasbeenandwhencethatbonyjowlhastakenitselfaway。
CHAPTERVIII
TheCarloftheDrabCoatcamebumpingandstumpingandclumpingintothecamp,andwassurroundedbyamultitudethatadoredhimandhailedhimwithtears。
\"Meal!\"hebawled,\"mealfortheloveofthestars!\"
Andhebawled,\"Meal,meal!\"untilhebawledeverybodyintosilence。
Fionnaddressedhim。
\"Whatforthemeal,dearheart?\"
\"Fortheinsideofmymouth,\"saidtheCarl,\"fortherecessesandcranniesanddeep-downprofunditiesofmystomach。Meal,meal!\"helamented。
Mealwasbrought。
TheCarlputhiscoatontheground,openeditcarefully,andrevealedastoreofblackberries,squashed,crushed,mangled,democratic,ill-looking。
\"Themeal!\"hegroaned,\"themeal!\"
Itwasgiventohim。
\"Whatoftherace,mypulse?\"saidFionn。
\"Wait,wait,\"criedtheCarl。\"Idie,Idieformealandblackberries。\"
Intothecentreofthemessofblackberrieshedischargedabarrelofmeal,andbemixedthetwoupandthrough,androundanddown,untilthepileofwhite-black,red-brownslibber-slobberreacheduptohisshoulders。Thenhecommencedtopawandimpelandprojectandcramthemixtureintohismouth,andbetweeneachmouthfulhesighedacontentedsigh,andduringeverymouthfulhegurgledanoozygurgle。
ButwhileFionnandtheFiannastaredlikelostmindsupontheCarl,therecameasoundofbuzzing,asifahornetoraqueenofthewaspsorasavage,steep-wingedgriffinwashoveringaboutthem,andlookingawaytheysawCaeloftheIronchargingonthemwithamonstrousextensionandscurryofbislegs。Hehadaswordinhishand,andtherewasnothinginhisfacebutrednessandferocity。
FearfellllkenightaroundtheFianna,andtheystoodwithslackkneesandhanginghandswaitingfordeath。ButtheCarlliftedapawfulofhisoozyslopanddischargedthisatCaelwithsuchasmashthattheman’sheadspunoffhisshouldersandhoppedalongtheground。TheCarlthenpickeduptheheadandthrewitatthebodywithsuchaimandforcethattheneckpartoftheheadjammedintotheneckpartofthebodyandstuckthere,asgoodaheadasever,youwouldhavesaid,butthatitbadgottwistedthewrongwayround。TheCarlthenlashedhisopponenthandandfoot。
\"Now,dearheart,doyoustillclaimtributeandlordshipofIreland?\"saidhe。
\"Letmegohome,\"groanedCael,\"Iwanttogohome。\"
\"Swearbythesunandmoon,ifIletyougohome,thatyouwillsendtoFionn,yearlyandeveryyear,therentofthelandofThessaly。\"
\"Iswearthat,\"saidCael,\"andIwouldswearanythingtogethome。\"
TheCarlliftedhimthenandputhimsittingintohisship。Thenheraisedhisbigbootandgavetheboatakickthatdroveitsevenleaguesoutintothesea,andthatwashowtheadventureofCaeloftheIronfinished。
\"Whoareyou,sir?\"saidFionntotheCarl。
ButbeforeansweringtheCarl’sshapechangedintooneofsplendouranddelight。
\"IamruleroftheShi’ofRathCruachan,\"hesaid。
ThenFionnmacUailmadeafeastandabanquetforthejovialgod,andwiththatthetaleisendedoftheKingofThessaly’ssonandtheCarloftheDrabCoat。
THEENCHANTEDCAVEOFCESHCORRAN
CHAPTERI
FionnmacUailwasthemostprudentchiefofanarmyintheworld,buthewasnotalwaysprudentonhisownaccount。
Disciplinesometimesirkedhim,andhewouldthentakeanyopportunitythatpresentedforanadventure;forhewasnotonlyasoldier,hewasapoetalso,thatis,amanofscience,andwhateverwasstrangeorunusualhadanirresistibleat-tractionforhim。Suchasoldierwashethat,single-handed,hecouldtaketheFiannaoutofanyholetheygotinto,butsuchaninveteratepoetwashethatalltheFiannatogethercouldscarcelyretrievehimfromtheabyssesintowhichhetumbled。IttookhimtokeeptheFiannasafe,butittookalltheFiannatokeeptheircaptainoutofdanger。Theydidnotcomplainofthis,fortheylovedeveryhairofFionn’sheadmorethantheylovedtheirwivesandchildren,andthatwasreasonablefortherewasneverintheworldapersonmoreworthyoflovethanFionnwas。
GollmacMornadidnotadmitsomuchinwords,butheadmitteditinallhisactions,foralthoughheneverlostanopportunityofkillingamemberofFionn’sfamily(therewasdeadlyfeudbetweenclann-Baiscneandclann-Morna),yetacallfromFionnbroughtGollragingtohisassistancelikealionthatragestenderlybyhismate。Notevenacallwasnecessary,forGollfeltinhisheartwhenFionnwasthreatened,andhewouldleaveFionn’sownbrotheronlyhalf-killedtoflywherehisarmwaswanted。Hewasneverthanked,ofcourse,foralthoughFionnlovedGollhedidnotlikehim,andthatwashowGollfelttowardsFionn。
Fionn,withCona’ntheSwearerandthedogsBranandSceo’lan,wassittingonthehunting-moundatthetopofCeshCorran。BelowandaroundoneverysidetheFiannawerebeatingthecovertsinLegneyandBrefny,rangingthefastnessesofGlenDallan,creepinginthenutandbeechforestsofCarbury,spyingamongthewoodsofKyleConor,andrangingthewideplainofMoyConal。
Thegreatcaptainwashappy:hiseyeswererestingonthesightshelikedbest——thesunlightofaclearday,thewavingtrees,thepuresky,andthelovelymovementoftheearth;andhisearswerefilledwithdelectablesounds——thebayingofeagerdogs,theclearcallingofyoungmen,theshrillwhistlingthatcamefromeveryside,andeachsoundofwhichtoldadefinitethingaboutthehunt。Therewasalsotheplungeandscurryofthedeer,theyappingofbadgers,andthewhirrofbirdsdrivenintoreluctantflight。
CHAPTERII
NowthekingoftheShi’ofCeshCorran,Conaran,sonofImidel,wasalsowatchingthehunt,butFionndidnotseehim,forwecannotseethepeopleofFaeryuntilweentertheirrealm,andFionnwasnotthinkingofFaeryatthatmoment。ConarandidnotlikeFionn,and,seeingthatthegreatchampionwasalone,saveforCona’nandthetwohoundsBranandSceo’lan,hethoughtthetimehadcometogetFionnintohispower。WedonotknowwhatFionnhaddonetoConaran,butitmusthavebeenbadenough,forthekingoftheShi’ofCeshCotranwasfilledwithjoyatthesightofFionnthusclosetohim,thusunprotected,thusunsuspicious。
ThisConaranhadfourdaughters。Hewasfondofthemandproudofthem,butifoneweretosearchtheShi’sofIrelandorthelandofIreland,theequalofthesefourwouldnotbefoundforuglinessandbadhumourandtwistedtemperaments。
Theirhairwasblackasinkandtoughaswire:itstuckupandpokedoutandhungdownabouttheirheadsinbushesandspikesandtangles。Theireyeswereblearyandred。Theirmouthswereblackandtwisted,andineachofthesemouthstherewasahedgeofcurvedyellowfangs。Theyhadlongscraggynecksthatcouldturnallthewayroundliketheneckofahen。Theirarmswerelongandskinnyandmuscular,andattheendofeachfingertheyhadaspikednailthatwasashardashornandassharpasabriar。Theirbodieswerecoveredwithabristleofhairandfurandfluff,sothattheylookedlikedogsinsomepartsandlikecatsinothers,andinotherpartsagaintheylookedlikechickens。Theyhadmoustachespokingundertheirnosesandwoollywadsgrowingoutoftheirears,sothatwhenyoulookedatthemthefirsttimeyouneverwantedtolookatthemagain,andifyouhadtolookatthemasecondtimeyouwerelikelytodieofthesight。
TheywerecalledCaevo’g,Cuillen,andIaran。Thefourthdaughter,Iarnach,wasnotpresentatthatmoment,sonothingneedbesaidofheryet。
Conarancalledthesethreetohim。
\"Fionnisalone,\"saidhe。\"Fionnisalone,mytreasures。\"
\"Ah!\"saidCaevo’g,andherjawcrunchedupwardsandstuckoutwards,aswasusualwithherwhenshewassatisfied。
\"Whenthechancecomestakeit,\"Conarancontinued,andhesmiledablack,beetle-browed,unbenevolentsmile。
\"It’sagoodword,\"quothCuillen,andsheswungherjawlooseandmadeitwaggleupanddown,forthatwasthewayshesmiled。
\"Andhereisthechance,\"herfatheradded。
\"Thechanceishere,\"Iaranechoed,withasmilethatwasverylikehersister’s,onlythatitwasworse,andthewenthatgrewonhernosejoggledtoandfroanddidnotgetitsbalanceagainforalongtime。
Thentheysmiledasmilethatwasagreeabletotheirowneyes,butwhichwouldhavebeenadeadlythingforanybodyelsetosee。
\"ButFionncannotseeus,\"Caevo’gobjected,andherbrowsetdownwardsandherchinsetupwardsandhermouthsqueezedsidewards,sothatherfacelookedlikeabadlydisappointednut。
\"Andweareworthseeing,\"Cuillencontinued,andthedisappointmentthatwassetinhersister’sfacegotcarvedandtwistedintohers,butitwasworseinhercase。
\"Thatisthetruth,\"saidIaraninavoiceoflamentation,andherfacetookonagnarlandawritheandasolidityofuglywoethatbeattheothertwoand。madeevenherfathermarvel。
\"Hecannotseeusnow,\"Conaranreplied,\"buthewillseeusinaminute。\"
\"Won’tFionnbegladwhenheseesus!\"saidthethreesisters。
Andthentheyjoinedhandsanddancedjoyfullyaroundtheirfather,andtheysangasong,thefirstlineofwhichis:
\"Fionnthinksheissafe。Butwhoknowswhentheskywillfall?\"
LotsofthepeopleintheShi’learnedthatsongbyheart,andtheyappliedittoeverykindofcircumstance。
CHAPTERIII
BYhisartsConaranchangedthesightofFionn’seyes,andhedidthesameforCona’n。
InafewminutesFionnstoodupfromhisplaceonthemound。
Everythingwasabouthimasbefore,andhedidnotknowthathehadgoneintoFaery。Hewalkedforaminuteupanddownthehillock。Then,asbychance,hesteppeddowntheslopingendofthemoundandstoodwithhismouthopen,staring。Hecriedout:
\"Comedownhere,Cona’n,mydarling。\"
Cona’nsteppeddowntohim。
\"AmIdreaming?\"Fionndemanded,andhestretchedouthisfingerbeforehim。
\"Ifyouaredreaming,\"saidCongn,\"I’mdreamingtoo。Theyweren’thereaminuteago,\"hestammered。
Fionnlookedupattheskyandfoundthatitwasstillthere。HestaredtoonesideandsawthetreesofKyleConorwavinginthedistance。Hebenthiseartothewindandheardtheshoutingofhunters,theyappingofdogs,andtheclearwhistles,whichtoldhowthehuntwasgoing。
\"Well!\"saidFionntohimself。
\"Bymyhand!\"quothCona’ntohisownsoul。
Andthetwomenstaredintothehillsideasthoughwhattheywerelookingatwastoowonderfultobelookedawayfrom。
\"Whoarethey?\"saidFionn。
\"Whatarethey?\"Cona’ngasped。Andtheystaredagain。
Fortherewasagreatholelikeadoorwayinthesideofthemound,andinthatdoorwaythedaughtersofConaransatspinning。
Theyhadthreecrookedsticksofhollysetupbeforethecave,andtheywerereelingyarnoffthese。Butitwasenchantmenttheywereweaving。
\"Onecouldnotcallthemhandsome,\"saidCona’n。
\"Onecould,\"Fionnreplied,\"butitwouldnotbetrue。\"
\"Icannotseethemproperly,\"Fionncomplained。\"Theyarehidingbehindtheholly。\"
\"IwouldhecontentedifIcouldnotseethematall,\"hiscompaniongrumbled。
ButtheChiefinsisted。
\"Iwanttomakesurethatitiswhiskerstheyarewearing。\"
\"Letthemwearwhiskersornotwearthem,\"Cona’ncounselled。
\"Butletushavenothingtodowiththem。\"
\"Onemustnotbefrightenedofanything,\"Fionnstated。
\"Iamnotfrightened,\"Cona’nexplained。\"Ionlywanttokeepmygoodopinionofwomen,andifthethreeyonderarewomen,thenI
feelsureIshallbegintodislikefemalesfromthisminuteout。\"
\"Comeon,mylove,\"saidFionn,\"forImustfindoutifthesewhiskersaretrue。\"
Hestroderesolutelyintothecave。HepushedthebranchesofhollyasideandmarcheduptoConaran’sdaughters,withCona’nbehindhim。
CHAPTERIV
Theinstanttheypassedthehollyastrangeweaknesscameovertheheroes。Theirfistsseemedtogrowheavyaslead,andwentdingle-dangleattheendsoftheirarms;theirlegsbecameaslightasstrawsandbegantobendinandout;theirnecksbecametoodelicatetoholdanythingup,sothattheirheadswibbledandwobbledfromsidetoside。
\"What’swrongatall?\"saidCona’n,ashetumbledtotheground。
\"Everythingis,\"Fionnreplied,andhetumbledbesidehim。
Thethreesistersthentiedtheheroeswitheverykindofloopandtwistandknotthatcouldbethoughtof。
\"Thosearewhiskers!\"saidFionn。
\"Alas!\"saidConan。
\"Whataplaceyoumusthuntwhiskersin?’hemumbledsavagely。
\"Whowantswhiskers?\"hegroaned。
ButFionnwasthinkingofotherthings。
\"IftherewasanywayofwarningtheFiannanottocomehere,\"
Fionnmurmured。
\"Thereisnoway,mydarling,\"saidCaevo’g,andshesmiledasmilethatwouldhavekilledFionn,onlythatheshuthiseyesintime。
Afteramomenthemurmuredagain:
\"Cona’n,mydearlove,givethewarningwhistlesothattheFiannawillkeepoutofthisplace。\"
Alittlewhoof,likethesoundthatwouldbemadebyababyanditasleep,camefromCona’n。
\"Fionn,\"saidhe,\"thereisn’tawhistleinme。Wearedonefor,\"
saidhe。
\"Youaredonefor,indeed,\"saidCuillen,andshesmiledahairyandtwistyandfangysmilethatalmostfinishedCona’n。
BythattimesomeoftheFiannahadreturnedtothemoundtoseewhyBranandSceo’lanwerebarkingsooutrageously。Theysawthecaveandwentintoit,butnosoonerhadtheypassedthehollybranchesthantheirstrengthwentfromthem,andtheywereseizedandboundbythevicioushags。LittlebylittleallthemembersoftheFiannareturnedtothehill,andeachofthemwasdrawnintothecave,andeachwasboundbythesisters。
Oisi’nandOscarandmacLugaccame,withthenoblesofclann-Baiscne,andwiththoseofclann-Corcoranandclann-Smo’l;
theyallcame,andtheywereallbound。
ItwasawonderfulsightandagreatdeedthisbindingoftheFianna,andthethreesisterslaughedwithajoythatwasterribletohearandwasalmostdeathtosee。Asthemenwerecapturedtheywerecarriedbythehagsintodarkmysteriousholesandblackperplexinglabyrinths。
\"Hereisanotherone,\"criedCaevo’gasshebundledatrussedchampionalong。
\"Thisoneisfat,\"saidCuillen,andsherolledabulkyFenianalonglikeawheel。
\"Here,\"saidIaran,\"isaloveofaman。Onecouldeatthiskindofman,\"shemurmured,andshelickedalipthathadwhiskersgrowinginsideaswellasout。
Andthecordedchampionwhimperedinherarms,forhedidnotknowbuteatingmightindeedbehisfate,andhewouldhavepreferredtobecoffinedanywhereintheworldratherthantobecoffinedinsideofthatface。Sofarforthem。